Economic Policy
Holiday, FL - Earlier today, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis visited a federally-funded free income tax preparation site in Pasco County operated by IRS-certified volunteers. The program is sponsored by Seniors in Service Tampa, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes volunteers to provide essential services to the community.
Washington, DC – Congressman Gus Bilirakis today highlighted major policy and funding achievements he helped secure in the FY2026 Appropriations package passed by the House this week. The package includes eight health care policy measures he co-authored and $5.5 million for local projects he sponsored.
Key Bilirakis Authored Policy Wins to Help Seniors and Kids with Cancer:
Washington, DC – Earlier today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Angie Craig (D-MN) re-introduced the Leveraging Integrity and Verification of Eligibility for (LIVE) Beneficiaries Act. According to a recent HHS Office of Inspector General report, an audit of just 14 states found more than $249 million in improper Medicaid capitation payments that were made to Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) on behalf of deceased enrol
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Troy E.
Washington, DC: Congress is set to reauthorize the federal farm bill, which provides support for a variety of agriculture and nutrition initiatives, including: critical research, conservation, innovation, infrastructure, health and nutrition, and supply chain security.Agriculture is a vital part of national, state, and regional economies. Throughout the country, 46 million jobs are supported by this industry which yields $8.6 trillion in economic output. Agriculture is responsible for more
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Earlier today Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Darren Soto (D-FL), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA), Matt Cartwright (D-PA) and Carol Miller (R-WV) introduced legislation to make the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain less dependent on China and other foreign adversaries. According to the Food and Drug Administration, approximately 72 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) used in the U.S.
Washington, DC: Representative Gus Bilirakis has re-introduced the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act. This critical legislation would create a non-partisan Commission of experts to identify potential solutions that would ensure the long-term financial sustainability of both Medicare and Social Security. The Commission would make policy recommendations to Congress.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) provided the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address:
Washington, DC: In keeping with his long-standing tradition of providing exceptional constituent service, Congressman Gus Bilirakis has worked tirelessly throughout the past year to ensure that his community received its fair share of federally allocated funds. In total, 12 of the 15 priority project proposals submitted by Congressman Gus Bilirakis this year have just been approved.
After voting against this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congressman Gus Bilirakis issued the following statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gus Bilirakis has received the Advocate for American Business Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for his bipartisan efforts to support small businesses throughout the nation. This prestigious award was presented to the lawmaker by Moore Hallmark, Vice President & Managing Director for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis hosted a town hall with approximately 50 local small business owners. Among the concerns discussed were: the harmful impacts of inflation, supply chain problems, labor shortages, and concerns about the new taxes imposed by the so-called "Inflation Reduction Act." The new law includes nearly $570 billion in new taxes, which experts confirm will impact Americans and small business owners making under $200,000 per year. It also increases spending and tax subsidies by roughly $580 billion over the next decade.
Palm Harbor: Earlier today, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis met with local government officials and small business owners about the harmful impacts of inflation, the lack of affordable housing and insurance options, as well as, the dangers of over-regulation by the federal government.
This week, Congressman Gus Bilirakis met with a group of local manufacturers to discuss supply chain problems they've encountered, raging inflation, and their concerns about the new law which is expected to raise taxes on small businesses. Democrats used reconciliation, a special legislative process, to jam the package through on a purely partisan basis. The bill proposed nearly $570 billion in new taxes, while increasing spending and tax subsidies by roughly $580 billion over the next decade.
Springhill, FL: Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis met with small business owners from throughout the Tampa Bay area whose businesses are linked to the travel and tourism industry. The Congressman specifically wanted to continue to follow the experiences our local small businesses in this sector have endured in their most trying times.
Dade City, Florida: Congressman Gus Bilirakis had the privilege of stopping by Vaughn's Country Store, an independently owned and operated gas station in Dade City. Owners Tracy and Bob Wood, along with Manager Jim Vesta, invited customers to discuss a range of topics with the local lawmaker, including: surges in gas prices, the need to increase domestic production of gas and diesel fuel, and concerns about depleting emergency oil reserves.
Dade City, Florida: Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis visited Save-A-Lot grocery store in Dade City, Florida. This discount supermarket grocery store is one of more than 50 stores throughout Tampa Bay owned and operated by Michael Needler, CEO of Fresh Encounters. Mr. Needler says his organization's mission is to delight customers with low prices and value, nourish communities, and inspire pride among team members.
Trinity, Florida: This week, Congressman Bilirakis visited a new, Veteran-owned small business in Trinity, Florida. Cryo-eeze's owner, Ryder Gaston, is working to provide affordable alternative and complementary therapies to civilians and Veterans struggling with physical and emotional pain. The wide array of services offered at the new center include: cryo-chamber treatment, a full spectrum redlight bed, hyberbaric chamber, and pulse/compression therapy. Opening a new business while the nation is grappling with 9.1% inflation is no small feat.
New Port Richey, FL: Small Businees is the backbone of the American economy. U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis recent stopped by the Butcher's Block, a small, family-owned and operated business in downtown New Port Richey. He met with the owner to discuss the impact that the pandemic, inflation, and supply chain issues have had on small businesses throughout the community.
New Port Richey: Last night, Congressman Gus Bilirakis met with a group of small business owners and business leaders in Pasco County. He provided the group with a brief legislative update on the work he is doing to help Veterans, seniors and rare disease patients while fixing our nation's broken mental health system. He also shared his support of concrete legislative solutions to address the record high inflation, surge in gas prices, and supply chain issues that have been plaguing Americans.
Washington, DC: Last night, Congressman Bilirakis spoke on the House Floor about the economic crisis Americans are enduring and how Democrats continue deflect, blame, and pursue misguided priorities that will further compound the financial pain.
https://floridianpress.com/?p=33529 by Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Dear Editor,
Washington, DC- Congressman Gus Bilirakis and a group of his concerned colleagues sent a letter to President Biden and FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, demanding action and answers about the steps the Administration will take to solve the national shortage of baby formula. After months of a growing unaddressed problem, the formula shortage has reached crisis levels in recent weeks. The share of baby formula "out of stock across the U.S.
Washington, DC: After this week's financial report showed that inflation continues to hammer Americans, reaching 8.3% in April, Representative Gus Bilirakis took to the House Floor to sound the alarm about the impact the economic crisis is having on all constituents.
Washington, DC: One of the most important functions of an effective Member of Congress is a willingness to help constituents cut through the red tape and navigate the bureaucracy of the federal government. Representative Gus Bilirakis has spent years earning a well-deserved reputation as a tireless advocate who consistently secures positive results through constituent casework.
Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an organization that is within, but is independent of the Internal Revenue Service.
Washington, DC:The President recently signed two provisions into law that were authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). The first measure, the Reducing Exposure to Burn Pits Act, which Bilirakis co-authored with Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA) is part of the lawmakers' continued joint efforts to protect our nation's men and women in uniform.
Washington, DC: All ten of the community project funding requests submitted this year by Congressman Gus Bilirakis were approved. These projects will bring a total $13.79 million in federal funding to the Tampa Bay area. When this year's application process opened, Congressman Bilirakis received dozens of high-quality proposals from local governments, municipalities, and non-profit organizations throughout the state of Florida.
Washington, D.C.: Understanding thatinflation is essentially a tax that hurts all Americans, especially seniors and those living on a fixed income, Congressman Gus Bilirakis spoke on the House Floor today about inflation recently hitting 7.9% year-over-year growth in February. He also discussed the impact that inflationary pressure, which is at the highest level Americans have faced in more than 40 years, is having on his constituents.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12),Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-20), Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.-07), and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.-16) joined U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) who are members of the Senate Finance Committee that oversees the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in a bipartisan and bicameral group of 100 colleagues urging the IRS to take immediate steps to improve its service.
Washington, DC: Earlier today, Representative Gus Bilirakis introduced the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act. This critical legislation would create a non-partisan Commission of experts to identify potential solutions that would ensure the long-term financial sustainability of both Medicare and Social Security. The Commission would make policy recommendations to Congress.
Washington, DC: After the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released an unprecedented update to its natural gas pipeline policy statement that will severely impede new and pending pipeline projects, causing energy costs across the country to remain sky-high and weakening America's energy independence, Congressman Gus Bilirakis and other House Republicans condemned the Administration for the negative impact its continued war against the oil and gas industry is having on American consumers.
Washington, DC: On January 24, 2022, Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Nicole Malliotakis sent a letter to the U.S. Department of State criticizing the Biden Administration for reversing the United States' support of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Pipeline (EMGP).
Washington, DC: As Co-Chairman of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, Congressman Gus Bilirakis has proven himself a consistent, strong ally for helping this critical industry rebound from the significant economic toll it endured throughout the pandemic. In his latest efforts, Bilirakis and colleagues wrote to Jeffrey Zients, the White House COVID Coordinator urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise its Travel Advisory for cruise ships.
Washington, DC: Every American has noticed empty shelves and experienced delivery delays for many products, including: new vehicles, toilet paper, toys, and smartphones. Supermarkets, restaurants, and school cafeterias also report missing shipments. Experts are also predicting that the supply chain crisis will lead to a less than merry Christmas for many American children as toys are expected to be in short supply this season, according to the Toy Association.
Washington, DC: Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis took to the House Floor to condemn the Biden Border Crisis and to urge his colleagues to abandon the radical policies that are fueling the historic onslaught of illegal border crossings. Since President Biden took office, there have been over 1.4 million illegal border crossings. These record-high apprehensions keep increasing, with no end in sight.
Washington, D.C. This Thanksgiving is expected to be the most expensive in history due to skyrocketing inflation. Americans have also been warned that their Christmas presents will cost more and might not arrive on time due to the supply chain disruptions. Representative Gus Bilirakis discussed these bleak projections earlier today on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Washington, DC:President Biden's radical policies have stymied America's energy independence and created a crisis. The national average price for a gallon of gas has climbed to its highest level since 2014 and is 66% higher than this time last year. Worse yet, home heating costs are projected to rise by as much as 54% for some American households this winter.
Washington, DC: Congressman Gus Bilirakis and a group of his colleagues have sent a clear message to President Biden that the time to prioritize the real needs of Americans over his liberal spending spree is long overdue. The lawmakers expressed their collective frustration at the Presidents continued push for even more domestic spending while ignoring the supply chain crisis that is impacting all aspects of Americans' lives. Excerpts from the letter are provided below:
Washington, D.C.: This week, Representative Gus Bilirakis implored his colleagues and President Biden to take notice of the fact that the nation's economy is spiraling into a worsening crisis. Noting many signs of an economy headed in the wrong direction, Bilirakis referenced the impact on his constituents throughout Tampa Bay. "My constituents are paying more today than they were a year ago for basic goods, like milk, gas, and bread.
Washington, D.C.: Congressman Gus Bilirakis and a group of his colleagues wrote a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig imploring them to protect Americans' privacy and prevent new overly burdensome regulations for financial institutions.
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) this week held two town hall meetings in Florida's twelfth congressional district to discuss legislative issues with constituents. The Congressman provided the local community with an update on the work he has been doing in Congress.
It's no wonder Americans pay tens of millions of dollars a year for tax preparers to wade through 70,000 pages worth of tax law. The tax code is confusing, and sends too much money to Washington and too many jobs overseas. I am working towards a simpler, fairer, and flatter tax code, so that it will be easier for small business owners, families, and individuals to do taxes and have peace of mind. Simplifying our tax code will lead to more jobs, better wages, and more opportunities for all Americans.
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement following President Obama's budget proposal for FY 2017:
"Maintaining his status quo, the President has proposed a budget that leads us to higher taxes and too much spending. The proposal would increase spending by $2.5 trillion and raise taxes by $3.4 trillion over the next decade. Under his budget, the national debt will be more than double what it was when the President took office.
On Thursday, the House advanced H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act. This legislation makes permanent over 20 tax relief provisions and extends a number of other tax relief provisions that expired in 2014.
"This legislation delivers certainty to taxpayers in my district and across the country," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). "This bill prevents tax increases which would have been harmful to our economy and will help strengthen the integrity of tax credit programs to prevent fraud and abuse. This bill is a win for taxpayers."
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement regarding the House vote to advance H.R. 1314 and increase the debt limit:
Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement on the President's State of the Union Address:
A Florida congressman wants to amend the Internal Revenue code to close a loophole being exploited by illegal immigrants.
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., is looking to ensure illegal immigrants are not able to receive federal tax refunds using the child tax credit. Bilirakis showcased the "Stop Handouts to Unauthorized Taxpayers (SHUT) Act" on Friday.
Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced H.R. 192, the Stop Handouts to Unauthorized Taxpayers (SHUT) Act, which would require any individual who receives the refundable portion of the child tax credit to demonstrate their legal employment in the United States by providing a Social Security Number or proof of lawful residence on their tax return.
"The MilCon/VA appropriations bill the House passed represents a $7 billion increase from FY2014, and includes a number of different provisions to protect our nation's veterans. This legislation includes full funding for disability claims processing, to give the VA additional resources to reduce the backlog," Bilirakis said. "Disability compensation and education benefits for veterans are also fully funded, as are vital resources for veterans returning to civilian life. H.R.
"It is an honor to receive this award, because I believe in conservative values and principles. Limited government, fiscal responsibility, and individual freedoms are all ideals in which I strongly believe. The American Dream is not dead," Bilirakis said. "I believe in giving all Americans the opportunity to lift themselves up, and I believe in the virtue of hard work. This is the slowest economic recovery in American history, and too many women and men across the country still feel like we are in a recession. The recovery is the product of the failure of big government policies.